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Archiver > APG > 2004-06 > 1086290484


From: "Mills" <>
Subject: RE: [APG] Need a better brain then mine
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 14:21:39 -0500
In-Reply-To: <200406031837.i53IbqXG005225@mail.rootsweb.com>


Judy wrote
<I have been working with some colonial era tracts and have run into a word
where I can't make out the second letter. The word is "R_akes" There is a
spot over the letter, so I can't even make an educated guess by general
shape.
The author is writing about men playing R_akes on the shore and reports that
it
caused "great offence and Disturbance of the Inhabitants.">

<I am thinking this may have been some sort of gambling game, but just don't

know. Does anyone out there have any ideas what the word is and what it
means? >


Judy, if the men were creating a disturbance on the beach, then it seems to
me they were involved in a physically active game--and most such games of
that era involved ball play. You didn't specify *when* in the "colonial"
period -- 17th or 18th century --and that could make a difference; but one
thought comes to mind that covers both centuries.

Is there any chance your document has a scribble in front of "r_akes"
that could be a c? Cricket dates back to Plantagenet times.

Elizabeth


-------------
Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG


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